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Product Description

Model: Black - 14-42mm Lens

Manufacturer's Description

LUMIX G Micro System Camera G3

The G3 is the worlds's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera.

World's Smallest and Lightest System Camera

The DMC-G3 is the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in electronic view finder*. With an exceptional range of features and stunning image quality packed into a beautifully lightweight aluminium design, the LUMIX G3 turns everyday moments into works of art.

* For an interchangeable lens system camera with a view finder as of May 12, 2011

MOS Sensor

The DMC-G3 features the newly developed 16.0-megapixel Live MOS sensor which offers a big advantage for capturing stunning images, thanks to a low noise processing and a low noise circuit structure. The Venus Engine FHD links smoothly with the advanced image processing, optimum synthesizing of the data, which is processed with resolution-priority for outlines and NR-priority for soft gradation areas. So you can enjoy stunning image quality even in low-light conditions.

The G3 combines fast and accurate auto focus.

World’s Fastest Auto Focus

The DMC-G3 features the world’s fastest light speed auto focus of approx. 0.1 second**, achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing, which doubles the drive speed from 60 fps to 120 fps. Full area focusing, and the shooting advantages of the Contrast AF system, allows you to focus on the subject in any part of the LCD. Combined with the Touch AF, Pinpoint AF and MF assist, the DMC-G3 lets you select a subject quickly, making focusing easier.

** The time for focusing on the subject is measured with the DMC-GH3 attaching LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-VS014140)*** to move the lens position to “2m” from “infinity” position. The zoom position is in wide range. Panasonic measurement method

*** The firmware must be updated to Ver. 1.3 or later

Choose from a range of photo styles.

Creative Control

For experienced photographers looking for advanced functionality of a DSLR, or a beginner who wants to take eye-catching images at the click of the button, the LUMIX G3 lets you get the results, as you want them. The LUMIX G3 provides the assistance to help beginners make the most of every shot, with advanced controls to take photography to the next level.

Micro Four Thirds System

The DMC-G3 is based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard. The mirror-less construction makes it possible to add a 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder). Both the LVF and the 3.0-inch free-angle LCD give you a live view of what you’re shooting, with a field of view of approximately 100%. The DMC-G3 is fully interchangeable with LUMIX G / LEICA DG lenses, giving you a system camera with the ability to achieve a wide range of artistic expression.

High-resolution free-angle LCD screen.

Free-angle LCD Screen

Whether you want to take photos from above your head at a concert, or frame a portrait with your eye close to the camera, the high-resolution free-angle LCD screen or the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) gives you the right set up for the right moment.

HD Video

The DMC-G3 can record high-resolution 1920 x 1080 full HD videos. The AVCHD format features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG. A stereo microphone, featuring Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, on the upper body of the camera records dynamic, true-to-life stereo audio. The Touch AF in video recording also lets you enjoy professional-like rack focusing. Use this feature to shift the focus, attracting attention to the subject.

LUMIX VARIO 14-42mm Lens

With an angle of view and perspective close to those of the human eye, these lenses capture natural-looking, true-to-life images. Use them for almost any kind of shot from landscapes to snapshots, children, pets, still-life objects and more and enjoy the kind of beautifully rendered, breathtaking images you simply can't get with a compact camera.

The standard zoom lens covers a lot of ground, extending from 28mm (35mm camera equivalent) to a zoom ratio of around 3.2x. With a total of 12 lens elements in nine groups, including aspherical lenses, this high-quality lens delivers an excellent optical performance, correcting various aberrations and providing superb balance. The lens has all the versatility you need for both everyday shooting and artistic photography. As your shooting skills evolve, you'll find it easy to create interesting, expressive photos by varying the angle of view and focal distance, choosing different perspectives, and experimenting with varying degrees of soft focusing.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Hooked on photography for about a year now and was willing to upgrade to a canon 60d (£1300) but the guy from glasgow city centre (merchantcitycameras) told me to keep this camera as the technology is very high end and i wouldnt really see a difference. I am very pleased with my purchase and what this man told me as he is a serious professional in this field. Keeping it for another year or two until something new arrives. The only thing that slightly annoys me with this camera is the battery life and the slowish focusing while in movie mode but the batteries can be purchased on ebay/amazon for £10 and are meant to be just as good as the originals which are crazy price.I can live with these minor problems and Cant stop using this camera LOVE IT. Got white BTW :)Highly Recommended Great photos, movie quality :)

After reading about the G3 prior to it's release, I was curious that the decision had been made to further reduce the size from that of the G2. It is, however, a fantastically portable camera that still feels solid and of good quality in the hand. I feel so much more compelled to take this camera out on all my travels as it is small and light enough to keep around the neck all day whereas with my other dslr I'm aching to take it off after a only a short country walk.

With this camera, Panasonic seem to have improved upon almost every aspect vs older models. A 16mp sensor rivals many of the competing cameras from the likes of Canon & Nikon in the same price range. The image noise control makes the camera very useable in low light, and I am loving full HD movie capture! There is a nice feature when using manual mode that allows you to enlarge the subject of your photo when focusing for a sharper image, while it is also possible to touch focus at any point on the camera's lovely fold out LCD screen. Those who are still not sold on touch screen cameras will be pleased to hear that you can get used to it whilst using the buttons, which are well laid out.

There will be something for everyone here - the G3 should appeal to point and shoot users, with an 'intelligent auto plus' mode that gets some great snaps whilst allowing a little freedom of some simpler and some more creative image settings, whereby the casual user can build some confidence to move across to the manual modes. Panasonic have packed the G3 full of plenty of tricks and features, more than enough to keep the more avid photographer busy.

At this stage, the only criticism I have of this camera is that the strap could be a little chunkier, but given the weight of the camera, this is only a small issue.

The G3 is on a par with any entry-mid level SLR camera whilst in a far more practical package.

I was a bit dubious about this bacause of all the flummery built in. But I wanted an affordable camera to shoot RAW, and need a viewfinder. And the reviews were good, and it fitted the budget. So, does it meet my needs? The RAW files are stunning once one changes from srgb to rgb. Leaves my Nikon D200 in the dust. 800 asa files are brilliant, and 1600 is fine at a push. The video is great, though I have no prior experience with it by way of comparison - the HD option is pretty irritating because the supplied software will not install properly on my pc and there is not much you can do with it without more software, but the motion jpeg looks good enough for my occasional use. I am not bothered by the touchscreen for shooting stills, but its good for video and for accessing the well thought out menus. The main thing is, the RAW files are great if thats what you want. As well, its really fun to use to use as a point and shoot as well and carry around camera. Very happy with it.

I was struggling to decide between a Canon EOS 550d and the Lumix DMC-G3 but decided to plump for this based on the a number of factors: (1) lighter and less cumbersome to carry around, (2) easier to use (which is important for my wife), (3) cheaper, (4) better video including auto-focus and the ability to zoom without clunking noise from the lens, (5) moveable screen which can also be closed and protected. I have to say I am very happy with this so far, I have already taken some excellent photos. It is incredibly easy to use straight away using the Intelligent Auto function and the quality of pictures is significantly better than we get from our Canon Ixus compact. Only downsides are: (1) battery performance could be better and (2) replacement lenses are quite expensive but on the whole I can't recommend this enough.

I have had tried different cameras in recent years having got frustrated with the bulk and weight of DSLRs yet not wanting to lose image quality. For a while I had a lighter-weight DSLR and I've tried another compact system camera, but that wasn't well sorted and was difficult to use.

The G3 in contrast, is light but strong and solid-felling and it is incredibly easy to use, either in full auto mode or in some variety of manual mode. The photo qualify is terrific but it also benefits from being portable and fast, so shots that might have been missed with another camera get captured with ease.

My increasingly good feedback on Flickr is testimony to the effectiveness of the G3! Overall, this is an outstanding camera and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take highly quality photos but doesn't want to carry around a couple of house bricks in the shape of a fill-size DSLR and lenses.